Taekwondo, a sport invented, practiced and mastered by the Koreans, is also a sport where the Philippines hopes to do well in Busan.
To achieve this goal, however, the 12-man RP taekwondo team bannered by three Sydney Olympians will have to thread through the proverbial eye of the needle as they will be pitted against the very best in Asia and in fact, some of the very best in the world.
"We’ve never won a taekwondo gold in the Asian Games but the opportunity is always there. And we’re walking on the right path," said Noli Gabriel, head coach of the national team that will vie for 12 of the 16 taekwondo gold medals at stake in the 14th Asian Games scheduled Sept. 29 to Oct. 14.
All foreign countries in Busan can’t go beyond six entries each in both divisions with the Philippines missing out on the featherweight and heavyweight classes on the men’s side, and the bantamweight and lightweight classes in the women’s side.
Being the hosts, the Koreans will be allowed to field entries in all weight classes in both divisions, giving them the chance to sweep all the 16 golds. They almost did it during the 1986 Asiad in Seoul, falling short by just a couple of victories.
"Now, we’re talking here of the top 16 Koreans out of a base of over three million practitioners. Ours will be the top 12 out of probably half a million. This means lesser chances for the other countries in Busan," said Gabriel.
Korea, Gabriel added, has always been a winner as far as the Asian Games is concerned with countries like Iran, Chinese-Taipei, China and the Philippines just lurking behind.
"But so many things can happen during a competition. That’s why we expect to win medals in Busan. There’s even a good — but not necessarily a better — chance of winning the gold. If you believe in the power of prayer, it will help a lot," added Gabriel.
Taekwondo competitions are set Oct. 10 to 13, and a good draw on the 9th is all the RP bets are looking for. To draw a Korean in an opening match, according to Gabriel, is the last thing you’d like to happen.
"We need a good draw. Then this can lead to good fights and then good results. A good draw could boost your morale. You would want to face the Koreans in the medal rounds so whatever happens, may medal ka na," said Gabriel, pinning his hopes on Sydney veterans Roberto Cruz (finweight), Donald Geisler (welter) and Eva Marie Ditan (finweight).
The others in the team with equal chances of winning are Tshomlee Go (flyweight), Manuel Rivero Jr. (bantam), Alexander Briones (lightweight) and Dindo Simpao (middle) in the men’s division, and Daleen Cordero (fly), Kalindi Tamayo (feather), Veronica Domingo (welter), Sally Solis (middle) and Margie Bonifacio (heavy) in the women’s side.
During the 1998 Bangkok Asiad, the Philippines won a silver courtesy of Geisler and three bronze medals through Manel Sy, Rodolfo Abratique and Bonifacio. Then the Filipinos came home with three gold medals from last year’s Kuala Lumpur SEA Games behind the victories of Sy, Domingo and Cruz.
Now, can they strike gold in Busan?
"We’ll just do our best and hope that God will take care of the rest," Gabriel said.